Trawl runner



Feb. 16, 1932. M. H. TlBBETTs 1,845,102

'FRAWL RUNNER Filed June 17, 1930 2 sheets-sheet 1 Fel). 16, 1932. M HTlBBTTS 1,845,102

TRAWL RUNNER Filed'Junevl'r, 1930 2 sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 16,1932 UNITED STATESv PATENT oFFlcE MILLARD H. TIBBETVIS, F SOMERVILLE,MASSACHUSETTS TRAWL RUNNER i Application lved .Tune 17,

useful improvements in shoes or runners for Vim beam-trawl nets, andwill best be understood by reference to one speciiic embodiment thereofselected for illustrative purposes and shown in the accompanyingdrawings where- Fig. 1 is an elevation of thefront or inner face oi therunner in operative assembly;

Fig-2, a top view of the same r n Fig. 3, an enlarged cross-section onthe line 3 3 of Fig. 1` showingr structural details and the yrelativepositions of the kouter or frame portion and the door or inner porLtion;

Fig. 4, a detail fragmentary sectionon the line 4 4 of Fig. 1,showingthe method of" uniting the semi-circular frame sections;

Fig. 5, an enlarged transverse section of the assembled device on theline 5 5 of Fig. 3, showing details in construction of the trameportion, and Fig. 6, an illustrative perspective view showing therelative positions of my invention and a trawler vessel operating thesame with connecting drag lines in the usual manner.

A trawl net 10 of the type herein illustrated and to which the presentimprovement is adapted, is designed for deep-sea shing, usually beingoperated at a depth of ten to a hundred athoms. It is dragged over thesea bottom, which is often rough and encumbered with obstacles, by lines11 attached to and controlled from a steam trawler, operating on thesurface at a considerable distance from the net.

The trawl net 10 is commonly funnel shaped, the front or receiving endbeing secured at opposite sides to a pair of draglines 11 through themedium of the runners 12, which tend to spread apart under pressure ofthe water and to maintain the mouth of the net in the open positionwhile the vessel is under way.

As the runners are used in pairs, two .to each trawl net, and are otlike v construction, a description of one will serve for both.

1930. kSerial No. 461,692.

The runner comprises a solid central portion 13 constituting a circularflat core or disc movably supported within an outer frame portion orring 14, which rides upon the sea bottom and is free to rotate about thecentral portion.v The central portion in the present embodiment isformed of matched `wood vplanlring of suiiicient rigidity and strengthto withstand the water pressure, the margin being incased in andprotected by ka continuous channel rim 15 of metal preferablyformed ofseparate segments, each segment being heldin position by transversebolts 16 suitably countersunk at both ends to lieflush with the rimsurfaces. Y

The frame portion 14 is designed to freely enclose the rim of thecentral portion, which extends a sulcient .distance into the groove orchannel 17 formed on the inner edge of the fame portionto preventdisplacement of vthe central portion in either lateral direction. Thischannel 17 forms a ball race for receptionof a series of balls 18, whichare distributed in sutlicient number around the rim 15 to provide acontinuous antifrictional support for the central portion,` the outerface of the rim and the bottomfof thechannel 17, which is preferablykformed with a flat face eat 19, constituting opposite supportingsuraces.

The frame portion 14 is preferably constructed of meta-l.y which may becast orA formed in two semi-circular sections rabbeted or otherwisejointed at opposite points 2() and suitably securedtogether, asvbycountersunlr rivets 21. The frame portion 14 is thus revolubly carriedupon the centralportion 13 and provides a suitable tread medium for therough ground conditions often encountered on the sea bottom. 4Itsrounded outline and revolubility cooperate to effect numerous ad'-vantages, among which may be mentioned yreduced friction and resistanceto the water, thereby requiring less traction power and increasing thespeed, la tendency toride Lover opposing objects such as deeply seatedrocks and soft mud bottoms, thus avoiding line breakage, eliminationofvthe twisting or 'swirling motion common to the usual one- 100 piecerunners of square formation, and improved facility in handling onshipboard.

In operation the runners assume an upright position, edge foremost, oneon each s1 e o the net at the front opening, being preferably attachedto the wings or forward extensions 22 by suitable means, such as theelongated metal loops 23, arranged in pairs and pivotally secured inspaced position at one end to the rear of the central portion or core13, the free ends being suitably shaped to freely enclose the frameportion 14. Thus positioned these doors under pressure of the water tendto spread relatively apart and to maintain the mouth of the net in theopen position, while the weight of the balls 18 tends to keep the net onthe sea bottom, no other weighting devices being required. The draglines 11, which are controlled at their forward ends from the vessel,are secured at the opposite ends to the cores 13 in any suitable manner,as for example by a pair of converging staples, 24, 25 secured by hinges26 to the inner faces of the cores at selected points on opposite sidesof the center best adapted to offset any turning tendencies of thedevice as a whole while moving through the water.

My invention is not restricted to the precise details of construction orto the form of ein bodiment herein shown, but embraces all suchmodifications thereof as come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, astationary inner portion for attachment to and support of a trawlnet,and an outer portion mounted on and surrounding the inner portion andfree to circulate thereon, said outer portion constituting the soleground-engaging means and support for both portions.

2. In combination with a trawl-net and drag lines for towing the net, apair of runners of circular formation for supporting opposite sides ofthe front end of the net, means for attaching the drag lines centrallyto the innerfaces of the runners, means for securing the net to oppositefaces of each runner, and annular members movably mounted on the runnersand providing the sole groundengaging means, said runners when propelledin the water through the medium of the drag lines assuming uprightpositions in angular relation to each other.

3. In runners for trawl nets, a self-supporting unicycle structurehaving a single groundengaging member and comprising, in combination,two concentric rotative portions, one mounted on and enclosing theother, the outer portionV constituting the sole supporting means forboth portions.

4. In trawl runners, a self-supporting wheel structure operating in asingle track and comprising, in combination, a core portion and a rimportion enclosing the core portion and free to rotate about the same,said rim portion constituting the sole ground-engaging member andproviding support for both of said portions.

5. In a device of the class described, a selfsupporting wheel runnercomprising, in comhina-tion, two concentric relatively movable portions,one mounted on and free to rotate about the other, the outer portionconstituting the sole ground-engaging member and support for bothportions, means for attachment of the inner portion to a drag line, andseparate means for attachment of a net to opposite faces of the innerportion.

6. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, acircular inner portion having a peripheral bearing face, an annularouter portion mounted on and free to revolve about the inner portion,and a series of antifrictional bearing members interposed between theinner and outer portions for the su port of the outer portion.

i?. A device of the class described comprlsing, in combination, an innerportion including a disc and a rim on the disc, an outer portion forminga ring around the disc and free to revolve in the lane of the disc, anda series of balls distri uted around the disc and engaging the rim ofthe inner portion for the support of the outer portion, said outerportion having a channel formino' a race for the balls and enclosing therim ofa the disc.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

MILLARD H. TIBBETTS.

